The anticipation in the room reached its peak as “Macklemore and Ryan Lewis!” flashed across the screen.

The two big-name performers for Linfield’s annual Wildstock festival were announced during an Associated Students of Linfield College Senate meeting Feb. 20.

Wildstock is the end-of-the-year festival put on by the Linfield Activities Board (LAB) complete with food catered by local restaurants, many activities and live music. It will take place on the IM field on May 18.

LAB works throughout the year to organize the event, starting the process of booking the act early in fall semester. Senior Nicole Bond, vice president of programming for LAB, worked with a booking agency to find the headlining act for the event.

“Between brainstorming, making an offer and negotiating the contract, it takes a lot of time and energy,” she said.

She said she feels the hard work has paid off and was excited to finally be able to announce the artists to the student body.

“I worked closely with Dan Fergueson in the booking process, and John McKeegan, Linfield’s lawyer, worked on the contract with us. The three of us were the only people on campus who knew who the Wildstock artist was until Monday night,” Bond said. “It was a hard thing to keep to myself,
especially when everyone involved with ASLC knew what I was doing and continuously asked me about it.”

As it is the largest student event on campus each year, LAB tries to book well-known bands or artists. Last year, the band Parachute performed and the event was a great success.

Bond said she was
happy with the artists that she was able to book this year. Macklemore is a hip-hop artist from Seattle, Wash., who works with Ryan Lewis, a producer and designer also from Seattle.

“I am a fan of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and I know that many of my friends and classmates are too, so I felt pretty confident about my decision,” Bond said. “It’s a little bit out there, since we rarely, if ever, bring rap artists to campus. But I am sure that everyone will enjoy the music. And no matter what, there is something for everyone. Between the music, food, activities and just hanging out with your friends outside on the last day of classes, every student will have a great time.”

Bradley Keliinoi, ASLC vice president, said that he feels that with the chosen artist, Bond has ensured a Wildstock to remember.

“[Bond] scored a big victory with this selection, and the response from the campus has been one of extreme excitement and anticipation,” Keliinoi said. “The countdown has begun to May 18, 2012.”

Bond would like to remind students that there are still ways to get involved through planning an activity with a club. Students can work to make the event even more encompassing and exciting. However, Bond said that either way, students are sure to have a great time.

“It’s just a really fun time to celebrate the end of the school year and spend time with your friends outside while enjoying some delicious food, fun activities, and amazing
entertainment,” she said.

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Andra Kovacs/Senior reporter
Andra Kovacs can be reached at [email protected].